What Are the Best Treatment Options for Heavy Legs?

Heavy legs are normal after a workout. However, if it happens for no apparent reason or impairs your legs’ mobility, it may be a sign of vascular disease. Knowing its causes can help treat it earlier. 

What Are Heavy Legs?

Heaviness in the legs is described as legs that feel weighed, stiff, or are hard to lift and move. It can also feel like dragging cinder blocks with your legs or walking through wet cement, requiring a great effort to move them. 

Why Do My Legs Feel Heavy?

Though there are various causes for heavy legs, vascular disease is the primary one. This disease affects the blood vessels and capillaries, especially those in the deep veins and arteries.

These vascular conditions may cause heavy legs:

• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): In this circulatory disease, narrowed blood vessels decrease the blood flow to the arms and legs.
• Superficial Venous Insufficiency  (SVI): Here, the blood pools in the superficial veins of the leg because it is not completely pumped back to the heart.
• Deep Venous Insufficiency (DVI): It has symptoms similar to SVI, but this disease impacts the deep veins.

If the vascular disease is the reason for your heavy legs, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Spider or varicose veins
• Restless legs
• Aching or throbbing pain in the legs
• Leg swelling
• Cold or tingling sensations
• Difficulty walking, sitting, or standing for long durations
• Skin discoloration in one or both legs
• Numbness or dullness in your leg

Heavy Legs Diagnosis 

Your doctor will review your medical history, ask questions about your symptoms, and perform tests to determine if you have any of the above-mentioned vascular conditions. They may also perform an ultrasound to check how the blood flows through your arteries and veins. 

Prognosis 

Heavy legs disorder caused by a vascular disease is usually treatable. Adhering to your doctor’s treatment plan should help reduce your symptoms. If you are diagnosed with vascular disease, your doctor should monitor you regularly to avoid health complications. Especially, people with PAD are six times more likely to have a stroke or cardiac disorder, so they should seek a specialist.  

Sometimes, people experiencing vascular disease do not develop any symptoms. Still, the condition can intensify and cause symptoms that may require treatment if left untreated. 

Heavy Legs Treatment Options 

Home Remedies 

• Elevate your legs
• Wear compression stockings
• Quit smoking
• Reduce sodium intake
• Be physically active  
• Control your weight

Medications

Your doctor will prescribe medications depending on whether you have venous disease, PAD, or any other similar condition. You also may be given medicine that will lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.

Procedures 

Your doctor may perform procedures to improve the blow flow in the veins and arteries, including:

• Dye injection into the arteries and veins along with treating open areas of blockages 
• Venoplasty and stent placement (for the veins)
• Angioplasty, atherectomy, and stent placement (for the arteries) 

What happens If you Leave Heavy Legs Untreated?

The consequences of untreated heavy legs depend on the underlying condition. 

If caused by venous disease,

• Symptoms such as leg swelling and skin discoloration may aggravate, affecting your ability to be fully active.
• You are likely to develop blood clots or DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

If caused by arterial disease, the symptoms may intensify, causing:

• Increased risk of amputation
• Ulcerations or open sores due to reduced blood flow

Therefore, it is critical to seek proper treatment before your condition causes such medical complications. If you are looking for the best Atlanta vein specialist for your heavy leg treatment, contact North Atlanta Vascular Clinic and Vein Center today.